So far we have given you information about the trek to Rudranath but now the question arises that how to reach Sagar, Mandal, or Helang. That’s why now we will give you information about all three ways of reaching Rudranath temple by air, rail, and road.
How to reach Rudranath Temple by Air: If you want to reach Rudranath Temple by air, then the nearest airport to Gopeshwar is Grant Jolly Airport in Dehradun. From here one has to take a bus or taxi to reach Gopeshwar.
How to reach Rudranath Temple by Rail: If you are coming to Rudranath Temple by the favorite train of all Indians, then the nearest railway station is Rishikesh. From here again you will have to reach Gopeshwar with the help of a bus or taxi.
How to reach Rudranath Temple by Road: At present, almost every city and town of Uttarakhand state is well connected by road through buses. And you will easily get a direct bus from Delhi, Chandigarh, Jaipur, etc. to Rishikesh. Then from there, you can take a local bus or taxi to reach Gopeshwar directly.
Rudranath temple opening and closing date:
Like other Kedar, this temple also remains closed in winter due to heavy snowfall. The temple is opened mainly in the month of May on a fixed date according to the Hindu calendar. For this, Rudranath Doli Yatra is taken out from Gopinath Temple of Gopeshwar. After this, the temple remains open for six months and the doors of the temple are closed on a fixed date around Diwali.
Rudranath temple opening and closing time:
The doors of the temple open for the devotees around 6 in the morning and close around 7 in the evening.
Puja Timings at this temple:
In Rudranath temple, the morning comes at 8 o’clock. Then aarti is performed in the evening around 6:30 pm. After some time the doors of the temple are closed.
Rudranath Temple Weather:
The climate here remains cool throughout the year. There is a feeling of mild cold in summer, while in winter due to heavy snowfall, even the way to the temple is closed. At that time the symbolic form of Mahadev is installed in the Gopinath temple of Gopeshwar, 20 kilometers below the temple. After that God resides here for six months. Then after six months in the month of May, Mahadev is reinstated in the Rudranath temple through the Rudranath Doli Yatra.
If you ever plan to go on a trek, then you can do a Deoban trek.
The beauty of this temple:
The journey to the Rudranath temple is considered the longest and most difficult among the Panch Kedar. However, on its way, you will get to see dense forests, Buransh and Alpine trees, peacocks and various animals and birds, colorful flowers, and velvety grass.
When you reach the temple, you will get to see the three peaks of the Himalayas, Nanda Devi, Trishul, and Nanda Ghunti, which make its view even more beautiful. The waterfalls and pools flowing around the temple are also the main centers of attraction. Many devotees visit Rudranath Mahadev only after taking bath in Narad Kund.
Where to stay in this Temple:
There are no accommodation facilities available near Rudranath Temple. So you have to come back down. When you are going up after trekking, you will see the facilities of many small hotels, lodges, campuses, etc. in between. That’s why you have to come again there.
However, if you are trekking with your own camp and food, then you can set up your camp around the temple and enjoy the weather. You will find many facilities to stay in in Sagar and Mandal villages and Helang. Apart from this, all kinds of facilities like government rest houses, big hotels, hostels, lodges, campuses, etc. are easily available in Gopeshwar.
Entry Fee of Rudranath Temple:
There is no entry fee of any kind to visit the temple but this area comes under Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary. So if you are carrying any plastic item with you then you will be charged Rs 100 which will be refunded on return.
For this, the number of plastic items you have will be noted by the Forest Department and a slip will be given. In return, you will get your 100 rupees back by showing this slip and plastic, but if you get less plastic than the number written on the slip, then you can be fined heavily.